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Stormy weather causes disruption Stormy weather causes disruption
(20 minutes later)
Gale force winds and rain have caused chaos in parts of central, western, and southern Scotland.Gale force winds and rain have caused chaos in parts of central, western, and southern Scotland.
The bad weather brought down trees, caused lorries to topple and left thousands of homes without power.The bad weather brought down trees, caused lorries to topple and left thousands of homes without power.
Westerly gusts reached 80mph overnight, leading to the complete closure of the Erskine and Tay Bridges.Westerly gusts reached 80mph overnight, leading to the complete closure of the Erskine and Tay Bridges.
An estimated 8,000 homes are without power in Argyll and 800 are affected in Tayside. Engineers are unable to carry out reports until the wind dies down. An estimated 10,000 homes are without power in the west along with 800 in Tayside. Engineers are unable to carry out repairs until the wind dies down.
Scottish Power said homes affected were mostly in Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, the west coast areas and parts of Fife.
A spokesman for Scottish Hydro Electric said the firm was trying to reintroduce power remotely where possible.A spokesman for Scottish Hydro Electric said the firm was trying to reintroduce power remotely where possible.
Schools closedSchools closed
Five lorries overturned on the M74 and ferry and rail services have also been hit.Five lorries overturned on the M74 and ferry and rail services have also been hit.
Strathclyde Police said the high overnight winds had blown off part of the roofof the derelict Great Eastern Hotel in Glasgow's Duke Street.
Surrounding roads were closed and nearby residents were urged to stay awayfrom their windows.
The extreme wind also damaged a university hall in Dundee. Residents of Seabraes had to be moved from one side of the building to the other when a section of roof came off.The extreme wind also damaged a university hall in Dundee. Residents of Seabraes had to be moved from one side of the building to the other when a section of roof came off.
Tayside Police said they were working to clear fallen trees across many routes, while Central Scotland Police said they had numerous roads blocked or partially blocked and to travel only if necessary.Tayside Police said they were working to clear fallen trees across many routes, while Central Scotland Police said they had numerous roads blocked or partially blocked and to travel only if necessary.
Northern Constabulary have urged drivers on the Western Isles to exercise caution in the high winds. Northern Constabulary urged drivers on the Western Isles to exercise caution in the high winds.
Police said conditions were hazardous on Uist and Benbecula and drivers crossing causeways and bridges should take particular care.Police said conditions were hazardous on Uist and Benbecula and drivers crossing causeways and bridges should take particular care.
All schools on Barra along with some on Benbecula and North Uist have been closed because of the gales.All schools on Barra along with some on Benbecula and North Uist have been closed because of the gales.
BBC forecaster Judith Tonner said conditions should improve throughout the day.
"The very deep area of low pressure across Scotland overnight brought severe gale force winds to many parts of the country with gusts as high as 84mph", she said.
"However these will continue to ease down very slowly during Wednesday."


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